Has the Cattle Market Peaked?

New signals in the cattle market are raising questions about whether the seasonal spring high has already been reached, as both cash trade and futures show signs of weakening. Fed cash cattle prices traded mostly steady to slightly lower last week, with Southern live cattle around $248 and Northern dressed cattle near $388. At the same time, futures markets pulled back after recent gains, reflecting a shift in market sentiment.

Boxed beef prices also moved lower, with both choice and select values declining week over week, suggesting softer demand during a period when prices typically strengthen ahead of the grilling season.

Taken together, steady-to-lower cash trade, declining futures and softer beef demand suggest the market may be losing momentum earlier than expected. However, with several weeks remaining before typical seasonal highs, further movement will likely depend on outside factors such as consumer demand, broader economic conditions, and market support.

Read the full article to evaluate whether the cattle market has reached its seasonal high and how risk management tools like Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) may fit your strategy.